SPRINGFIELD, MA – Nicole Blais, Chief Executive Officer of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start) has been named the 2026 Leader of the Year by the Massachusetts Head Start Association (MHSA). This recognition honors her decades of leadership, commitment, and impact on children, families, and the broader Head Start community.

In sharing the announcement, the Massachusetts Head Start Association recognized Blais for her more than 30 years of service to HCS Head Start. Her career reflects both deep dedication and a powerful full circle journey, having once been a Head Start child herself. Today, she leads the very organization that helped shape her early years, embodying the mission and long term impact of Head Start programs.

“Nicole exemplifies what Head Start stands for,” shared the Massachusetts Head Start Association in its announcement. “Her leadership has had a transformative impact on her program, her staff, and the families she serves. Congratulations to Nicole on this well-deserved recognition.”

Blais began her professional journey with HCS Head Start in 1996 as a Parent Education and Support Specialist. In this role, she focused on strengthening family engagement and ensuring program standards were upheld. Over the years, she expanded her impact by developing family focused initiatives, leading teams, and representing Head Start programs across Massachusetts and at national conferences.

In 2012, she stepped into the role of Director of Community Engagement, where she spent a decade building partnerships with community organizations, media, and public leaders. Her work strengthened connections between Head Start and the communities it serves, helping to expand awareness and access to critical early childhood services.

In 2021, Blais was named Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of longtime leader Janis Santos. Since then, she has continued to guide the organization with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to children and families across Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield.

“Unbenounced to me, my team nominated me for this recognition,” shared Blais with a big smile. “I am beyond grateful for the nomination and honored to lead this exceptional team..”

Her leadership extends beyond her organization as well. She currently serves on the New England Head Start Association (NEHSA) Board of Directors supporting Head Start programs located throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Prior to this appointment Blais also served multiple terms on the MHSA Board of Directors, advocating for policies and practices that strengthen Head Start programs statewide.

A lifelong resident of Springfield, Blais is proud to additionally serve the community as a Springfield Chamber Ambassador and Holyoke Rotary Club member. Blais attended the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and did her graduate studies in Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy at Bay Path University.

Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start has been providing high-quality early childhood education services for children and families in cities and towns located in Western Massachusetts since 1965. They are committed to providing low-income children and their families with a source of support for a brighter future. They strive to do so by providing high quality comprehensive child development services to enrolled children and empowering families to achieve stability in their home environment.

New England Head Start Association (NEHSA) works with, and on behalf, of children, families, staff and Early Head Start/Head Start programs located throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. In partnership with parent and staff representatives from each New England State, as well as with staff from the Office of Head Start’s Regional Office, NEHSA provides a forum for networking, shaping public policy, and the delivery of training to promote high quality services for children and families; fosters communications and share best practices among programs in the region; and works to inform policies that impact the Head Start and Early Head Start communities in the region and nationally.

This is a press release submitted by Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start and previously published elsewhere. Do you have a press release for your organization that you’d like to distribute? Fill out our contact form.